Top 30 Most Important Trojans for 2024: No. 28

The Top 30 Countdown add a young offensive lineman looking to break into a starting role.

The Top 30 Countdown of the 30 most important USC players gets back to the offensive side of the ball with its second offensive lineman in sophomore Alani Noa, who makes his debut on the list. Noa looked well on his way to being a major contributor as a true freshman after starting the season opener, but his playing time for the season did not match his fast start. Noa is currently a top contender to make USC’s starting offensive line for 2024.

*** Breakdown of Top 30 Most Important USC Players for 2024: Considerations for rankings take in a wide range of factors including depth, 2023 stats, overall talent, departures from last season, projected development and expectations. But the most important factor for placement on the list was if this player was lost, how detrimental would it be to the team and the overall success of the season.

Noa is right on the line of moving up on this list or falling out depending on how he progresses through fall camp. The former three-star prospect is currently in a heated battle, which began in the spring, for right guard with redshirt freshman Amos Talalele (Top 30 Re-Rank contender). That competition will turn up even more this summer with veteran Gino Quinones (No. 30) entering the mix after recovering from his 2023 season-ending knee injury.

Overall, right guard is very much up in the air with Talalele being an unknown component with a single career appearance (one in which he was actually replaced after two special teams snaps) and Quinones coming back from a serious injury. Noa stands out as a young talent that earned legit buzz in 2023 with six games of action, including a start. If feels like many USC fans are siding with youth and want Noa to win the right guard job.

While he does have some experience, it’s not a lot. He only played 78 offensive snaps with 30 of them coming in the opener. Noa also struggled after his solid debut, finishing the season with an overall 48.4 grade via Pro Football Focus. That won’t get it done for USC, and it won’t get it done for a Top 30 player. But the good news is he was a true freshman, and struggles are part of growth, especially on the offensive line.

An ideal situation from Noa’s perspective would be for him to have another really strong fall camp and win the starting job, which means a date with LSU in Las Vegas. If his development over the course of last year and this offseason matches his early 2023 buzz, Noa has the potential to be a breakout this fall. At worst, he’s still a factor on the two-deep.

WHY NO. 28?

Noa still needs to go out and win a starting job to secure his spot on the Top 30. He has all the tool to be a starter for the Trojans, but he also needs to take a notable step in his development, which is a major theme for offensive line coach Josh Henson in his third season.

Even if Noa does not win a starting role this fall, he will still be key as a backup interior offensive lineman, an are USC remains thin, especially when it comes to experience.